Phil and Becky lead Striders in cross country opener

Striders of Croydon faced strong opposition in the opening Surrey Cross-Country League Division Two match of the season, at Wimbledon Common on Saturday, and had to settle for a disappointing ninth place. Phil Coales led them home with a very good run to place tenth of the 165 finishers, covering the five-mile course in 27 minutes 51 seconds. Lee Flanagan was next home in 31st (29.13) with Justin Macenhill 58th (30.26) and team captain Krzysztof Klidzia 65th (30.51). Simon Ambrosi was 68th (31.04) with Martin Filer 80th (32.06), Greg Williams 89th (32.27), Barry White 90th (32.28), Simon Webster 94th (32.45) and Darren Woods completing the scoring team in 97th (33.03). Striders also had six non-scorers.

Meanwhile Striders’ women finished 12th in their Division Two match at Roundshaw. They were again led by Becky Laurence who had a very good run to place 28th of the 178 finishers, covering the six-kilometre course in 27 minutes 53 seconds. Charlotte Letchford, making her league debut, ran very well for 62nd (30.33) with Selena Wong 78th (31.35), Adele Boesinger 88th (32.14) and Sarah Fisher completing the scoring team in 102nd (33.18). Club stalwart Linda Daniel led the B team in 104th (33.23) with Nadine Pryce making her club debut in 121st (33.55), followed by Melanie Hinds and Victoria Legge.